Tara Bennett

Tara Bennett draws on her love for Japanese design and craftsmanship for Provider Store, Provider House and Maido. Here she shares the journey of her mindful and calming spaces.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Nic Gossage — Courtesy of Lee Matthews

Maido in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Tara Bennett wears the Harriet SS Shirt and Harriet Midi Skirt from Lee Matthews.

The Provider candle is refillable and repurposable—poured into Japanese ceramic jars. 

Tara wears the LM Denim Jacket from Lee Matthews.

Poured into Japanese ceramics, Provider candles can either be refilled to use again or emptied out and used as a teacup!

Pocari, Tara’s Shiba Inu pup is a regular visitor to Provider Store.

‘I really like when you enter a space that you feel comfortable in—I think it’s important to make sure people feel welcome.’ Tara Bennett wears the Ashton Top and Skirt from Lee Matthews.

Hello Tara—can you introduce yourself?

Tara: Hello, hi, I am Tara and I am the owner of Provider Store, Provider House, and Maido.

Take us back to the beginning—what sparked the inspiration to open Provider Store?

Provider Store was a long-time manifestation for me. I was always creating and making things growing up. I ended up working in fashion but in the eCommerce side and while it gave me many skills, I really struggled with sitting in front of a computer every day. When I went to Japan over a decade ago on a holiday, I was so inspired by the craftsmanship and that people could forge a career from using their hands. I came back, quit my job and made a website.

It’s been a decade since you opened Provider Store… what’s been the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt as a business owner during that time?

There’s been sooo many! I think one is to really back yourself. I have had a lot of people give me unsolicited advice over the years of what I should and shouldn’t do, and you just have to take it with a grain of salt. If you are running a solo ship, you must follow your gut and remember why you started in the first place. You also need to know when to take a risk and when to hold tight—I think a lot of businesses go bust because they go too hard. I’m all about the slow and steady game.

How has your love for Japanese design and culture been such a major source of inspiration for you in your businesses?

I’m so obsessed with Japanese design, even after a decade! I’m always reading Japanese magazines and finding inspiration from Japan when I’m not there. I love how the Japanese mix old and new. I’m by no means a minimalist because I love knick-knacks and memorable things I find on travels. Everything I have on my shelves at home has a cute little memory and story behind it. I love how the Japanese fix things that break instead of buying something new, and I try and bring this into my daily life and in Provider Store as well.

You’re committed to collaborating closely with local artisans—why is this so important for you?

I love when people with different skills can come together. The outcome is always something wonderful! Whether it’s a local, family run pottery factory, or a friend who knows how to sew, I love blending people’s passions and crafts.

What’s one thing you value most when it comes to selecting products for your spaces?

It must be aesthetically pleasing but practical. I think an everyday item should be special because it makes us want to look after it and keep it for a long time.

What’s an element that threads all three of your businesses together?

Community and connection. I wouldn’t have any of the three if it wasn’t for building nice little bonds with the locals, making people feel welcome and inspired.

Tara Bennett wears the Ashton Top and Skirt from from Lee Matthews.

‘If you are running a solo ship, you must follow your gut and remember why you started in the first place,’ says Tara Bennett.

Tara Bennett wears the Ashton Top and Skirt from from Lee Matthews.

‘I love when people with different skills can come together. The outcome is always something wonderful! Whether it’s a local, family run pottery factory, or a friend who knows how to sew, I love blending people’s passions and crafts.’

“ I love how the Japanese fix things that break instead of buying something new, and I try and bring this into my daily life and in Provider Store as well.”

— TARA BENNETT

Tara Bennett and her pup, Pocari, outside Provider Store. Tara wears the Harriet SS Shirt and Harriet Midi Skirt from Lee Matthews.

‘It’s so nice to be able to put something out in the world that people want to keep forever and cherish. I love story telling, which is why every item we sell has a lovely back story—I like being able to share this.’

What makes you feel a sense of purpose most when working?

Knowing that people like what Provider has to offer. It’s so nice to be able to put something out in the world that people want to keep forever and cherish. I love story telling, which is why every item we sell has a lovely back story—I like being able to share this.

Where is your favourite region in Japan?

That’s hard because I have so many. I have done a lot of work with people in Nara and have worked with the Japanese government there, so it always feels special. A few years ago, the Major of Nara gifted me a medal for all the artisans I was working with and exporting I was doing from that prefecture. I also have friends in Kyoto and really feel at home there.

What do you love most about what you do?

I have the best staff! I love all the people who work for Provider and the makers we work with. It makes coming to work so nice. I make sure I tell them often how much I appreciate them because I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am without having a lovely team.

All your spaces are incredibly calming, intentional and welcoming… why did you most want to achieve this feeling?

I really like when you enter a space that you feel comfortable in—I think it’s important to make sure people feel welcome. I love design, but I also like a handmade feel, so there’s always an element of that at Provider. I like when people feel at ease to move furniture, pick up candles and just engage with a space and items we have around. There’s nothing worse than a sterile, over-styled space that you don’t know how to interact with.

Is there a dream project you aspire to undertake?

I really want to do a motel/hotel!

What can we expect to see next?

This year has been a hard one with cost-of-living etc so we didn’t get to plan too many future projects. Although, there might be a second Provider House coming, and it’s not in Australia.

What are you most excited about that’s coming up for you?

I’m just excited to take a couple of weeks off over Christmas to think about what’s in store for Provider in 2025. I worked so much this year that I feel like I need to chill, read some Popeye magazines and plan some exciting projects. I’m really hoping to move a portion of my candle manufacturing to Japan, so I can collaborate with artisans from start to finish. That means I am in for an extended trip to Japan (yay!).

Shop the Provider Store collection or visit Provider House and Maido.